Fargo Monthly Wedding Guide 2022/2023

2022/2023

Mike Dragosavich

Brady Drake Brady@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Geneva Nodland, Grant Ayers

Kim Cowles

Levi Dinh, Ty Betts

Josiah Kopp

Alexandre Cyusa, Ashley Morken

Nick Schommer Kellen Feeney Tommy Uhlir Jonathan Chicka Ben Buchanan Kellan Benson

Paul Hoefer Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Al Anderson Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Devan Maki Devan@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Tori Helland Tori@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Kacey Mongeon Kacey@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Hailey Bebler Hailey@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Jenny Johnson Jessica Mullen

John Stuber

Spotlight Media Inc. 4609 33rd Ave S Suite #304 Fargo, ND 58104 or info@spotlightmediafargo.com

ADVERTISING: 701-478-SPOT (7768)

Meet Stephanie & Kelsey of Say Less Events Co.

Stephanie D’Ambrosio and Kelsey Raftevold are the co-owners of Say Less Events Co. and both reside in Fargo, ND. They have over 15 years of combined experience in marketing and events and love all facets of the industry. They have planned and executed countless events of varying types ranging from weddings and themed parties to sold-out concerts and sporting events. They are your ultimate wedding genies, there to handle the logistics and stress of your wedding day so you can enjoy a stress-free day with your special person.

Q A

Like most great ideas, Say Less Events Co. was formed from a good conversation over wine and cheese. We can both agree our favorite aspect of the industry is to see ideas form into a beautifully executed event. We love having the opportunity to meet new clients and help bring their dreams and visions to life. While some couples benefit from a wedding planner to take on the full-scale planning, others are looking for that day-of coordination support and that is where

we recognized a niche in the wedding industry.

We strive to take on all of the work ranging from decor set-up, timeline management, vendor communication and tear down. Doing this allows the couple's wedding day to be stress-free and family and friends can focus solely on celebrating the wedding day. We also see this firsthand at the end of weddings that we've worked at when the couple, families and friends

How did Say Less Events Co. come to be and what about wedding coordination are you most passionate?

In general, why should a couple need wedding coordinators and why are you the prime example of that?

come up to us and express how they were able to truly enjoy the day as Say Less Events Co. took on all the work that the day inevitably brings.

How much customization and flexibility is there in utilizing your services? What all do you offer? How do you personalize yourselves to fit each unique wedding?

We know every wedding is different from the next. That is why we built our packages to be able to be customized to fit each couple's individual needs. Our base package provides unlimited communication upon booking, meetings beginning around two months before the wedding date where we will finalize timelines

and go over all details and answer questions, and then all set-up, timeline management and vendor communication on the wedding day until the start of the ceremony time. There is then the option to add on support for the ceremony, reception, tear down and rehearsal dinner, depending on what each couple's day looks like.

As wedding coordinators, what kind of value are you adding to the overall experience?

We know that weddings can be extremely expensive, which is not something we take lightly. However, adding a wedding coordinator to your budget has proven to pay off in the long run

by enhancing all of the other vendors, decor and flow of the day. It may seem like just one more thing to spend money on but assuring there is room in your budget for this service will benefit not only the couple getting married but all their loved ones that may have to take on this added work if it weren't for hiring a coordinator. Oftentimes, they giggle when they're told the couple has hired them to make the day easier for their mothers but the reality of that couldn't be more true.

For Rates & Booking Info, you can find Say Less Events on Instagram @saylesseventsco or visit their website saylesseventsco.com.

Let's Make this Party

A Piece of Cake

By Josiah Kopp photos provided by delta by mariott

Your wedding reception is no less important than the ceremony itself—after all, it's when the party really starts! And you deserve a team of culinary experts who can wow your expectations, a venue that can host a beautiful space and hospitality like no other—and that's exactly what Delta Hotels provides. We sat down with General Manager Carol Johnson and their team of wedding experts to learn more.

Flexibility for Space

Delta Hotels by Marriott Fargo offers flexible room accommodations to ensure your guests are comfortable. These range from the Honeymoon Suites to the spacious Grand and Presidential Suites. These rooms offer our bridal parties extra space as they prepare for their big day. They also offer spaces for bridal needs such as changing

rooms and hair. Their 15,000 sq. ft. Crystal Ballroom offers a truly unique experience with spacious elegance. They also have a beautiful courtyard which leads guests into their Symphony Hall, a space for a more personal experience.

And for decorating? Well, sky is the limit—or ceiling, rather. While other hotels provide basic setup with tables and chairs, Delta

goes all out to make your dreams a reality. Delta is continually creating the ultimate "WOW" factor with limitless personalization.

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience

“We always try to take everything that we create to the next level,” Chef Mac Christl said. “We like to focus on giving the

most options, especially with our buffets. We always have a very large variety with anything that we do—I think that helps the guests really get excited about something new and something different compared to what everyone else is doing.”

Additionally, the culinary team can accommodate just about any allergy in order to make the dining experience enjoyable for all guests. In fact, during a recent wedding, Chef Mac had to accommodate 16 different allergies, and he did so without breaking a sweat. That is a truly unique experience you won’t find elsewhere.

When it comes to grandeur meat, cheese and fruit platters, Chef Mac and his team will construct each platter as if putting together a giant puzzle, which inevitably turns into a beautiful piece of artwork. And that’s exactly what the chefs at Delta are—artists.

Chef Mac, who earned his culinary degree in Keystone, Colorado, works closely with Delta’s Regional Director of Food and Beverage through National Hospitality Services, Eric English. English, is an awardwinning James Beard-nominated food and beverage professional. He has been in the industry for upwards of 20 years and has

won many awards, including the Chef of the Year through Starwood Hotels as well as many more.

And it doesn’t stop there; led by Chef Eric, Mosaic Catering by Delta takes this same level of artistry and award-winning culinary experience to external venues as well. Whether it’s a lakeside venue, or in a rustic barn or anything in between, the Mosaic Catering team can can enhance your dining experience wherever you are! They service North Dakota, Minnesota and the surrounding areas.

simple made perfect: the delta experience

Negligent is a word you’ll never hear at Delta; from the moment you walk in, you become their ultimate focus. From providing wedding specialists to discussing decor, scheduling, backup catering and much more, their goal is to take the stress off you and make sure you’re having the most enjoyable experience possible.

To make sure every detail is considered and every box checked, Event Specialist Manager Laura Paulson along with Wedding Specialist Gabrielle Thibert are there to guide

the entire process, answering every question and making sure every aspect is perfect for your big day. Truthfully, when you work with Delta, you’ll never have to stress about event planning again; they’ll make every step a piece of cake.

“It’s a very special day for them; it’s once in a lifetime,” General Manager Carol Johnson said. “We do everything we possibly can so that they can enjoy it and not stress.”

To learn more about how Delta Hotels by Marriott Fargo can make your next meeting, conference, banquet or gathering an event to remember, give their Sales and Catering team a call at 701.281.7164.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Fargo

1635 42nd Street SW, Fargo 701-277-9000

DeltaHotelsby MarriottFargo deltafargo @DeltaFargo

The first wedding at Brodaway Square!

The Slominskis

Brianna & Ryan

10.14.22

The Slominskis are the first couple EVER to be married at Broadway Square. Let's meet them!

What is your story?

Brianna is from Moorhead originally and Ryan is originally from Minto, North Dakota. We now live in Moorhead with our two cats Chai and Coco. Brianna works remotely for Healthcare Financial Management Association as Manager of Volunteer Experience, and Ryan works remotely for Medica as Manager of EDI Operations. We had both been working for a health insurance company in Fargo when we met. We were both assigned to the same project and hit it off from there!

Please tell me why you chose Broadway Square for your wedding ceremony?

When we got home after getting engaged in New York City, the first thing we did was start thinking of venues for our ceremony. We like to think outside the box and we'd also enjoyed spending time downtown before for events such as the Farmers' Market, so we got the idea to call Broadway Square and see if they would consider hosting our ceremony. Having just come back from visiting New York City and enjoying outdoor areas like Central Park and Rockefeller Center, we were very excited about the possibility of our own outdoor wedding.

Who did you work with in order to book the square for your ceremony? What did that process look like?

We worked with Ana from the Fargo Park District. She was amazing throughout the whole process and was immensely helpful in taking care of so many of the details so that we could focus on getting excited for our big day! She really did help make our dream come true. We started by reaching out directly to Ana via the Broadway Square website, and from there, we stayed in contact as we planned other parts of our big day.

What does it mean to you both to be the first wedding hosted at Broadway Square?

It means the world to us! It's always fun to come up with an idea that hasn't been done before and it made it that much more rewarding to see everything come together so nicely. It's going to be fun to walk by the Square and be able to say we made history there!

Their engagement in the Big Apple.

Photo submitted by the Slominskis

Please tell us about your experience with your ceremony at Broadway Square.

Everything turned out wonderfully and we got hitched without a hitch! Being able to stand on the Broadway Square stage and look out at all of our favorite people who were there to support us truly warmed our hearts (which was very needed on a cold day). We were lucky to have a supremely talented performer in John Rian play at our wedding and the sound setup at Broadway Square distributed the music magnificently across the venue. Ana and her team, along with Carrie and the team from Gathered, worked with us to get a vision of what we wanted the square to look like, and the finished product really captured our vision of simple elegance. Getting to see all of the green and open space along with the lights on the trees and the backdrop of downtown Fargo was magical.

One of us grew up out on a farm surrounded by green, open spaces, and the other grew up in a busy city environment. Our relationship itself grew and evolved with Fargo as the backdrop. Broadway Square captured all of this in a way that no other venue could.

What do you love most about the venue?

For Ryan, it’s the fact that it’s an open, relaxing, beautiful and peaceful place that’s right in the middle of one of the busiest parts of the city. Similarly for Brianna, it’s the fact that the venue is reminiscent of the parks scattered around New York City—an oasis in the middle of the city. It’s a place for people to gather and is the definition of community.

What’s your best wedding planning advice for future couples?

An engaged couple will obviously have a lengthy “to-do” list leading up to their big day, but it’s equally as important to take breaks from the planning process and take moments to enjoy being engaged and remember why you’re planning a wedding in the first place. Also, don’t be afraid to ask other people to help. Chances are you have people in your lives with various talents and passions who would love to help; they just need to be asked!

What was the most difficult part of the planning process?

The unknown—you don’t know what you don’t know. You have to go into it with an open mind and a readiness to lean on the expertise of others. Also, you have to accept that no matter what, there will be things beyond your control (like the weather). You have to be ready for the unexpected and for a last-minute trip to buy a basket of hand warmers!

What problems or situations surprised you about the planning process?

It was definitely surprising how fast the wedding day came. It seemed like one minute we had just gotten back from getting engaged, and the next minute we had only a month left before the big day. We were surprised by the time commitment involved in getting everything set up and coordinating with vendors.

One of us grew up out on a farm surrounded by green, open spaces, and the other grew up in a busy city environment. Our relationship itself grew and evolved with Fargo as the backdrop. Broadway Square captured all of this in a way that no other venue could."

Abby anderson

What was the easiest part? And what was the most fun?

For us, the easiest part was selecting our vendors. We did a lot of research and consulted with a lot of friends and others around town, and the consistent positive feedback we got about our vendors made our choices easy. The most fun part was seeing everything come together. Looking back, we're grateful for, and proud of, how everything turned out.

What did you envision your wedding to be like before the planning process started and how did that change throughout?

We were envisioning simple elegance, originality, romance and something intimate. We got engaged at the top of the Empire State Building in one of our favorite places in the world—New York City. So, we also envisioned incorporating a New York City theme into our day. With the help of our vendors, we were lucky enough to not have to stray from our vision. The end result was everything we could have hoped for.

What were your top priorities for planning the wedding right after the engagement?

We got engaged in New York City on May 30th and had always envisioned a fall wedding, so we really had to hit the ground running when we got back home and started planning. Our first priority was the ceremony venue. We also had a few key vendors we knew we wanted to work with. So, getting set up with them was another priority. Our families and friends were priorities as well; we knew that four and a half months was shorter notice than normal and that the day wouldn't be complete without them, so we prioritized communicating our plans to them.

Did you take any special steps to maintain a budget?

It was tough staying on budget with the ambitious and specific vision we had, but we were blessed with ultra-supportive families who made our dream come true.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned that you would like to pass on to others?

The whole reason you're planning a wedding in the first place is because you were lucky enough to find the person of your dreams. Stay grounded and rooted in that as you go through the wedding planning process and remember what the day is really about.

Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?

Gratitude is key. When all the planning starts to become overwhelming and it feels like a lot of work, it's good to take a breath and remember what you're planning for. It's good to remember that a wedding isn't an obligation, and planning it isn't a chore—it's a celebration of the start of a new union between you and your soon-to-be spouse, and you can be grateful that you have such a special occasion to plan and the person of your dreams to plan it with.

What are the standout vendors or products you found that made your day memorable?

We were really lucky to have multiple vendors that went above and beyond to bring our dream wedding day to life. Of course, the ceremony wouldn't have been possible without the work and dedication of Ana and the Broadway Square team. Sir Speedy was incredibly responsive and their creative team designed signs and programs that fit our unique theme perfectly. Abby Anderson was everything we could have wanted in a photographer and more and was always only a call or text away. Gathered Boutique Rentals did an absolutely breathtaking job of decorating our ceremony and reception venues. Love Always Weddings and Party Rentals displayed top-notch customer service and Harmon Entertainment was fantastic about listening to and implementing our ideas for new twists to our wedding video and wedding dance presentation. Adam and the team at Drekker made our rehearsal dinner a blast.

geneva nodland

Tiffany & Josiah

Let’s learn more about the beautiful and secluded ceremony that made the Holders’ union official.

How would you describe your wedding day?

It was a very warm day, and not just because of the heat, but because of the warmth in the hearts of all our closest family and friends surrounding us. It was the most memorable day of our lives and it will not be forgotten, and we have the most beautiful lasting pictures to document it.

What made you choose your venue? And what venue did you choose?

There was only one venue we toured. As soon as we finished the tour and got in the

car we knew it was the one. The owners were so kind, the catering policy was flexible and it was the most breathtaking place we had ever seen. Not to mention the stunning architecture and design of the newly built barn. The outdoor amphitheater was also something we had never seen before and were excited to have that unique option. Thus, we chose Lone Oak Farm in Ayr, ND.

Thinking back to your wedding, what did you love most about the experience at the venue?

The secluded venue was so peaceful and made it feel as if we had the whole day to ourselves without a care in the world. The calmness made it feel even more special and intimate that day.

What’s one fun story or unique memory from your reception?

One thing we were both initially concerned about was having our younger siblings give a speech at the reception, but we decided that if they were willing, we wanted them to. Turns out, it made our night and it is now something we would have never traded. Their stories were ones that had been forgotten about by us which made it very special for us and our guests. Both were so heartfelt that they brought people to tears.

What’s your best wedding planning advice for future couples?

Accept as much good help that is offered to you. Good help, though, means it’s coming from people who care more about you loving your wedding than they love their opinion.

What was the most difficult part of the planning process?

Keeping everything organized and being self-disciplined to stay on top of things— especially when the wedding is still far off.

What problems or situations surprised you about the planningprocess?

The most difficult aspect of planning was making sure that all the bases were covered before the big day with things fitting within the budget. So many things require scheduling much further out than one might think. Or, at the very least, things require a lot of thoughtfulness and planning. Logistics on the wedding day was something that was difficult to wrap my head around and, thankfully, there were others that helped us out with that. It’s definitely important to know what you are not strongest in and find help for those areas!

What was the easiest part? And what was the most fun?

The easiest part was finding inspiration and not overthinking decisions. If you find a program template you like, go for it. It will make the process much less stressful and fun to find things that stick out to you and will make your day special to your style. The most fun was getting closer to both of our mothers through their help with the wedding planning, we could not

have done it nearly as well without their help.

What did you envision your wedding to be like before the planning process started and how did that change throughout?

I envisioned a simple wedding that would be on a nice July day that stayed within our budget (I know, I’m laughing too). As the planning continued, it became clear that weddings cost more than we envisioned so there was a lot of brainstorming and sacrifices to get the things that were most important to us. It was still a simple wedding, but more elegant than anticipated, I would say (definitely not complaining at all!)

What were your top priorities for planning the wedding right after the engagement?

Getting a venue and photographer that we loved and that would have availability within six months of our engagement.

Did you take any special steps to maintain a budget?

We had an entire spreadsheet that we regularly updated and checked. It did help a lot with staying on track and it also helped by showing us how much we went over by in certain areas when we did go over. We regularly discussed it as well, even when it was difficult, and it gave us a healthy start to our marriage. We highly recommend this.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned that you would like to pass on to others?

Don’t get caught up in the details. There are so many things you will barely notice as the bride/groom on your big day. Choose the main things that you are going to prioritize and work from there. The goal is to be married at the end of the day and it will be beautiful no matter what!

Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?

Don’t overthink things, seriously! So many times I had to recall what I remembered about previous weddings I had attended and 9 times out of 10 I couldn’t remember the table décor or the kind of lemonade that was served. What I told myself is that people are attending to support us and our new marriage, so stressing about the type of white flower to have in your bouquet is not the biggest deal. Make a gut decision and roll with it. It will save you stress and you will have a smoother day because of it. Also, definitely take breaks from planning when you can. It is so productive to come back to things with a clearer headspace. Everything will work out and be absolutely stunning!

What were the standout vendors or products you found that made your day memorable?

Brittney and Caleb Photography (12/10 absolutely the best!), ADAE Salon, Casselton Floral, Halbertstads, Rustic Cabin Décor, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Johnny Carinos, RSVP Bride (wedding dress) and Birdy Grey (bridesmaid dresses).

Carly & Austin

Let’s meet the Nelsons and learn more about what went into their special, special day.

How would you describe your wedding day?

We had a really fun day, which is what we wanted! We wanted our day to feel light and fun so we kept the ceremony pretty casual by having a friend officiate and keep it from being too serious. There was a lot more laughter than tears at the ceremony. We just wanted it to be a really fun day with a good flow—no long dinner with too many speeches, topped off with a killer dance floor.

What made you choose your venue? And what venue did you choose?

We chose the Sanctuary Events Center downtown. We knew we wanted somewhere where we could hold both the ceremony and reception. The location, mix of indoor and outdoor spaces available, and staff involvement on the wedding day (on-site

coordinators, sound technicians) were all big factors that made us feel like the Sanctuary was the right place for our day once we went for a tour!

Thinking back to your wedding, what did you love most about the experience at the venue?

The Sanctuary staff made it easy to enjoy the day without having to worry about logistics. With the on-site sound technician, we were able to provide our own playlist for the dance, knowing someone would be manning it and making sure it didn’t feel like we were just playing music off of a phone! The on-site coordinators were great throughout the day in making sure everything stayed on schedule and people were where they needed to be.

What’s one fun story or unique memory from your reception?

We DJ-ed our own wedding and it made the dance a really special part of the night. We knew we wanted the dance to be a highlight and with the sound system and on-site sound technician, we thought why not do it ourselves? We knew what songs we like and what made us cringe at other weddings and it was fun knowing we had hand-picked every song with the help of our wedding party. The dance floor was full all night which was so fun and made it worth the hours we had spent making sure the playlist was perfect down to how each song would flow into the next.

What’s your best wedding planning advice for future couples?

Really think about what is giving you the biggest stresses and anxieties about

planning the wedding and do what makes sense for you! We are pretty type-A and enjoy planning things, so a lot of the wedding planning process was fun for me.

If you aren’t a big planner and wedding planning feels really stressful or daunting, hiring a good wedding coordinator who you trust will probably alleviate a lot of the planning stress you are feeling. Remember it is supposed to be fun!

What was the easiest part? And what was the most fun?

The easiest and most fun parts were seeing what our vendors, Gathered and Love Always Floral, came up with for our rentals and florals and seeing everything come together. I really felt like both were able to see my half-formed ideas and expand on them to make them better than we could have asked for. It was fun to see ideas come to life and walk into the Sanctuary on the day of and see everything come together.

What did you envision your wedding to be like before the planning process started and how did that change throughout?

We stayed pretty consistent to what we were initially thinking! It helped that we started out with some pretty broad ideas. All we knew was we wanted to be somewhere in Fargo where we could have the ceremony and reception at the same spot. We wanted a friend to officiate and we wanted to stay pretty bright and modern with the color scheme and overall vibe.

What were your top priorities for planning the wedding right after the engagement?

Locking down our venue and photographer. We knew we wanted to do an early summer wedding, but we didn’t have a specific date in mind which was helpful with making sure we were able to book our key vendors. After booking the venue and photographer, we were able to get a good feel for what the space would look like along with the photography style and build the vibe and color scheme from there.

Did you take any special steps to maintain a budget?

We definitely prioritized what large expenses were most important for us and asked around for ballpark expenses (estimates you find online can be way different than local prices, especially for venue and food) to get a good idea of our overall costs when setting a budget.

Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?

It’s easy to say now, but just remember at the end of the day, it is just one day of your life and it will inevitably be one of the best days of your life! The details won’t have a huge effect on how special the day is overall.

What were the standout vendors or products you found that made your day memorable?

We generally had a great experience with all our vendors! I was extremely impressed with the Gathered Boutique Rentals during the event design process with them. Together, we were able to build a vision that far exceeded my expectations! Love Always Floral got the color scheme just right

with our florals and is an extremely fun and energetic team to work with. We also had a local band, King Sage, perform during our ceremony and outside in the courtyard during cocktail hour which really elevated the cocktail hour. Lastly, we can’t say enough great things about Tomi Dawn Photo—we love her! Not only did she capture our day perfectly but she truly cares about her couples and was a great resource during the planning process.

Harlee & Taylor

8.20.21

Awedding and baptism rolled into one? Let’s meet the Bunkes.

How would you describe your wedding day?

Well, we had a two-day wedding! Our ceremony was on Friday, August 20th, 2021 and our reception was Saturday, August 21st, 2021. Doing it this way, we were able to keep our ceremony more intimate. But still have one heck of a party the next night!

What made you choose your venue? And what venue did you choose?

Originally our intimate ceremony was supposed to be at our family lake cabin on South Lake Lida. But mother nature had other plans... So, two days before, we packed up everything from the lake and brought it to my family farm where we were planning to have the party Saturday night. It wasn’t my original vision for my wedding but it turned out better than I ever could have imagined!

Thinking back to your wedding, what did you love most about the experience at the farm?

Our farm is my favorite place. I loved being able to wake up and get ready in the house I grew up in. Also, we are known to throw a dang good shop party!

What’s one fun story or unique memory from your reception?

One unique memory that really stands out is actually from our ceremony. We had our son, Jagger, baptized during the ceremony with water from our family’s cabins on Lake of the Woods and Lake Lida.

What’s your best wedding planning advice for future couples?

Be different. People thought I was crazy for wanting a two-day wedding. Which maybe I was a little, but I stuck to my guns and it was the best weekend of our lives!

The Bunkes

What was the most difficult part of the planning process?

Everything. I am not a planner. Thank goodness my mother is. So definitely ask for help where you need it!

What problems or situations surprised you about the planning process?

Always needing to have a plan b. Especially when planning an outdoor wedding!

What was the easiest part? And what was the most fun?

Choosing vendors was the easiest part for me. The most fun was just how the weekend flowed. I loved being able to focus on our ceremony and family on Friday. And then Saturday we just got to let loose and party!

What did you envision your wedding to be like before the planning process started and how did that change throughout?

We planned to have our ceremony at the lake under a big oak tree. When we had

to change plans due to the weather, we moved everything into our shop on the farm.

I wasn’t sure how we were going to make the shop look romantic, but with the help of family and friends, we made it something out of a fairytale!

What were your top priorities for planning the wedding right after the engagement?

Hiring Sophie Grace Photography and Zeitlos Studios to document the day. I think Sophie was the first person I texted after Taylor proposed!

Did you take any special steps to maintain a budget?

My mom is the queen of Facebook Marketplace. We always looked there before we bought anything new.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned that you would like to pass on to others?

I once was told, “The goal is to have a marriage more beautiful than your wedding day.”

Things are going to go wrong and plans will change but at the end of the day you are marrying your best friend. And that’s the most important part!

Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?

Ask people who have experience for help or guidance!

What were the standout vendors or products you found that made your day memorable?

We had so many amazing vendors. But the grazing table by MilkMade Catering was pretty spectacular!

The Ennens

Grace & Chris

6.24.22

Meet the Ennens who found fun in every step of the wedding planning process.

How would you describe your wedding day?

It was a fast-paced day that we looked forward to and so did our friends and family. It was a huge reunion of family and friends that ended with the two of us!

What made you choose your venue? And what venue did you choose?

We chose The Pines because it was out of town and gave our guests the freedom to roam around the venue grounds instead of being stuck in a ballroom.

Thinking back to your wedding, what did you love most about the experience at the venue?

We loved how The Pines made the farm feel like it was our own special place. From beginning to end, we had all of our wedding activities at The Pines and we were able to make it feel like home.

What’s one fun story or unique memory from your reception?

Our six-year-old cousin winning the garter. We held a raffle and chose six winners to play musical chairs. Our cousin won and the crowd went nuts! He didn’t understand what a garter was so he chose to wear it as a headband instead. He wore it proudly throughout the night and even at the gift opening the next day.

What’s your best wedding planning advice for future couples?

We planned our wedding in 10 months and it was definitely manageable. The best advice we have is to try to make each task fun. Buy the Cricut and make your decorations yourself! Being able to look at your final product and having the feeling of accomplishment and being proud was so rewarding. Do as many projects together as possible and save money!

What was the most difficult part of the planning process?

Choosing our vendors. It was like a school project. You need to start early, do your research, find the style you like and start a conversation with vendors you’re interested in early. This takes time because the vendors want to get to know you just as much as you do them. Most of the time, you have to write entries about you and your future spouse, so be prepared to share your life story!

What problems or situations surprised you about the planning process?

Not being able to book some vendors because they were already booked or having family members that already had a wedding reservation that weekend. Even more reason to start planning as early as possible.

what was the easiest part? And what was the most fun?

Shopping on Amazon for all the supplies needed throughout the whole process was probably the most fun. It was always like a shopping spree because you absolutely needed everything and had to buy it. We’ve never had so many Amazon packages delivered before. We would have to say that part was definitely the easiest too because it included sitting on the couch and relaxing while scrolling through Amazon/online shops. It was perfect!

What did you envision your wedding to be like before the planning process started and how did that change throughout?

We planned for a very simple and subtle decorative look for our venue. In the end, we had way more decor than we originally planned for. The final look was exactly what we wanted but we realized the simple look actually takes a lot of work and planning.

What were your top priorities for planning the wedding right after the engagement?

Booking the vendors! First picking the venue. Then, starting our homework, looking at photographers, videographers, DJ’s, etc. This takes so much time—weeks. Focus on this first and after, you can take a break then start back up on planning decor.

Did you take any special steps to maintain a budget?

We did our best by using The Knot app and budgeting roughly how much everything would cost. We didn’t spend a huge amount on certain areas we were comfortable with going cheaper on so we could spend more money on the more important things to us.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned that you would like to pass on to others?

It’s going to be stressful. Find the fun in whatever you’re working on. Divide and conquer together! Most of the time we would divide up the housework and wedding work. This way we were always both productive.

Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?

Do the easy tasks when times get stressful. That way you’re still being productive but also not straining your brain when you’re stressed.

What were the standout vendors or products you found that made your day memorable?

Sublime Exposures Films was great. Alexis Hewitt from Chefs Table was so great! And we were very happy with our decorations by Viva La Vintage!

Macy & Connor

From matrimony to a wild dance floor to close out the night, let’s meet the Wendels.

How would you describe your wedding day?

The day was perfectly perfect in our own way, and we had no idea how much fun the whole day would be with every single one of our friends and loved ones!

What made you choose your venue? And what venue did you choose?

We chose the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo as our venue. We had three goals for our venue: a big enough space to fit everyone (check), great food (double check), and a BIG dance floor (triple check). The entire staff was beyond helpful every step of the way and it was a beautiful reception.

Thinking back to your wedding, what did you love most about the experience at the venue?

I really appreciated the fact that I had to do NOTHING! They set up the room, decorated everything, took it all down when it was over and helped create the vision I had and bring it to life for our special day. I have no regrets!

What’s one fun story or unique memory from your reception?

Connor and I had secretly choreographed a cool dance to perform at the end of our first dance and no one saw it coming! We only told my mom and our DJ about this surprise! We also practiced on the wii game “just dance” to perfect our performance, haha!

What was the most difficult part of the planning process?

We are both people pleasers so we sort of had a hard time trying to cater the day to everyone and have everyone feel included. But, it is YOUR wedding day and you need to do what makes you happy! And when the bride and groom are enjoying themselves, everyone else seems to fall in line.

What problems or situations surprised you about the planning process?

The expenses. They rack up quickly! And the details that you never think of… like getting a cake cutting knife or finding someone to transport all the decor from one place to the next!

What was the easiest part? And what was the most fun?

The easiest part was working with our vendors. They all made the planning process way too easy! The most fun part about the wedding was seeing everyone’s smiling faces from every walk of life there to support us. Dancing like maniacs for hours with all of our favorite people was the highlight!

What did you envision your wedding to be like before the planning process started and how did that change throughout?

We simply had no idea how to plan a wedding. Like where do you start? How do you know you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing? How am I supposed to get married when I’ve never done this before? These are all valid worries that just seemed to disappear the more we worked at it. Each day we chipped away at another

small detail and somehow, someway, everything fell into place!

Did you take any special steps to maintain a budget?

We were blessed with both of our families being willing to help pay for the costs of the wedding. My husband and I also got solid bonuses at the beginning of the year for work and we were able to put a chunk of money toward our wedding fund! We also kept track of who we paid/when we paid them in a planner, which turned out to be extremely helpful and organized!

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned that you would like to pass on to others?

Make the day your own. I found that I enjoyed including personal touches and working with people that I knew and trusted to help bring my wedding dreams to life, rather than just going with the top advertisement on google or striving for the name-brand items. We got some of the food from our family farm, my flowers were cut straight out of my cousin’s garden in Minnesota and the bouquets were put together by my aunts and friends, and an awesome coworker hand-hemmed my dress for me. Little things like that helped make everything about the day feel so personal and heartwarming!

Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?

Take it one step at a time and don’t forget to soak in the special moments (aka

everything). A great piece of advice I got was: “when your hands are sweating and your knees are shaking at the altar before you say your vows, take a look out into the crowd and look at all the familiar faces.” I did that on my wedding day and it was such a full circle moment, and took away any nerves I had at the time!!

What were the standout vendors or products you found that made your day memorable?

Harmon Entertainment from Fargo - phenomenal business that did more planning for my wedding than anyone. They were great!

Wendel Livestock Beef from North Dakota - had people absolutely raving over the main course for dinner, we hardly had any leftovers. The food was phenomenal.

Emerald Cove Images from Fargotook stunning photographs from start to finish,and helped keep the day rolling at a good pace!

Two Pony Gardens from Minnesotahelped create the most stunning bridal/ bridesmaids bouquets ever. Farm fresh flowers are the way to go.

Duchessa Gelato - brought the most delicious homemade gelato for dessert. It was even served on a cute old-fashioned bike cart!

John & Angelyn

I have a friend named Matt Wuorinen who I have worked with at Spicy Pie for about five years. Two years ago, he introduced me to the free artist wall behind the Fargo Forum building where you can spray paint anything. I thought it was pretty cool and brought Angelyn there a few times on dates. We would ride our motorcycles there, have fun and then rip around town on our motorcycles.

Matt had created some pretty large murals on the wall in the past. I talked to

Matt about creating a custom mural for a proposal, and he really liked the idea and basically just asked me for prompts on what to paint. We got that settled, I got him the spray paint he needed, we set a date and basically prayed it didn't rain.

From there, I went to talk to all of Angelyn's family—her four brothers, her grandpa, her mom and her dad. I talked to them individually to get their blessings about the whole thing. I got the okay from them and then I talked to my

parents and got them to come to town for the proposal. Then, I talked to all of her friends who would be able to make it as well.

Next, I had to decide how to get us out of town so Angelyn wouldn't see all of these people around because I had planned the after-party for Billiards which is right across the street from our apartment.

I told her we were supposed to go down to the cities to visit friends and family, but first we had to stop in Grand Forks to get lunch because there was this place that I wanted to go to really badly. I had to plan it out so that the trip would take about an hour and a half, there and back. We basically had enough time to get there, have a quick lunch and get back.

I work remotely for a company out of the cities and the way my job works, only one person can be working on a job at a time, so it’ll lock everybody out if someone is logged in. So, I told my managers to give me a call once they got the go-ahead from me in Grand Forks. I would tell Angelyn that I needed to go log out of my computer and that way I would have an excuse to get us back to Fargo.

After I got that call, we jumped in the car and I apologized profusely to Angelyn

for ruining lunch because we had to box everything up. When we arrived home, I told Angelyn that the only thing I wanted to do was go for a motorcycle ride to shake out the nerves.

We doubled up on her motorcycle and pulled out and made our way to the alleyway mural. We pulled up to a stop sign right next to the alley, and because I wanted everyone to know we were there, I pinned the engine really loudly. Then, I turned and looked at her and said, “you know I love you, right?” And she said, “yes I know you love me, I love you.” And I said, “well, we’re about to really find out.”

We pulled into the alley and Angelyn saw her mom’s car so she knew something was up. We turned the corner, I asked her to marry me, she said yes and the rest is history.

My family was there. Her family was there. My brother was there on FaceTime from Indianapolis. A bunch of our mutual friends were there. Her friends were there. It was really great.

“I was very surprised,” Angelyn said. “I started crying instantly. I was happy and beyond excited.”

Devan & Kinsi

I feel like I have to give a little bit of a backstory here as we got engaged after 8 years and 11 months to the day of when we started dating. I know that's a long time to wait, but I feel like I have good reasons for why it took so long.

Kinsi and I started dating while we were both attending Williston State College in 2011. After WSC, we both went to the University of North Dakota. I graduated from UND (I think) two years before Kinsi and got a job and enrolled in graduate school in Little Rock, Arkansas. After 2.5 years in Little Rock, my first job after college brought me down to Corpus Christi, Texas. After almost a year in Corpus Christi, my employer relocated me to Murray, Kentucky. After a visit and realizing I was then two hours from Nashville, Kinsi moved down and we lived together again for the first time in almost 4 years—that's a long time for a long-distance relationship when you're lucky to see each other in person twice a year. We were in

Murray for almost two years before realizing we wanted to be closer to home and moved to Des Moines, Iowa. I had an accident in Iowa that led to a very expensive surgery and I joke with Kinsi that I wear her first engagement ring in my arm. When COVID hit, I was furloughed from my job in sports and we decided we weren't close enough to home and decided to move to Fargo.

Kinsi and I got engaged 8 years and 11 months to the day of when we started dating. Over those almost 9 years of dating, I told her I was never going to do a cliche proposal like New Year's Eve or Valentine's Day. However, not by choice, but I did end up proposing on New Year's Eve.

I didn't start looking at rings until the fall before I planned on proposing. I was lucky enough to be connected with a friend of Kinsi's whose family owns Ritter Brothers in Williston. He started texting me rings that fall and nothing really spoke to me. I didn't

know what I was looking for, but it's one of those things where when you see it, you know it.

We were spending Christmas with Kinsi's family that year and I stopped receiving ring photos at the beginning of December. As Christmas grew closer and closer, I was panicking as I didn't have a ring picked out, but was planning on buying it while we were in Williston for the holidays. I definitely did not want this purchase to be an impulse buy. Finally, I heard back from our friend and he told me he had stopped sending me photos because he had the one and my search was over.

We got to Williston and I had to sneak around to "get coffee" a few times while I was with Kinsi's family. One or two of the times, I think I started fake yawning or acting crabby just so they didn't question me— nobody but me knew what I was doing at this point. The first time I snuck over and

saw the ring he was right—my search was over, that was the one.

Once it was sized, polished and purchased I carried the ring in the chest pocket of my coat and didn't let anybody touch my coat other than me. I have no idea how some people hide or hold onto a ring for months before proposing because I had our engagement ring in my coat pocket for two days and I couldn't take it. It was burning a hole in my pocket and I needed to use it before it tormented me anymore.

In Williston, they have a big firework show for New Year's Eve. I thought this would be a great time to propose and get some great photos of it. New Year's Eve was Sunday that year, so they decided to do the fireworks show on Saturday night instead. I remember thinking, 'This is it's going to happen today!'

On Saturday, I wanted to reenact our first date at Applebee's. We started dating during the oil boom in Williston and Applebee's was the only "fine dining" restaurant in town at the time. I asked Kinsi if she wanted to recreate our first date and go to lunch at Applebee's.

"Absolutely not," she said.

Shut down. All right, plan B I thought. I suggested we go visit Williston State College and relive some of the glory days and our old hangout spots as a trip down memory lane.

"No," she said.

Shut down again. Looks like today isn't going to go as planned at all. We ended up meeting up with some of her friends and decided to have dinner with them and their kids. At dinner, we discussed the fireworks show and asked if the kids wanted to go. I

chimed in and said I really wanted to go (nobody knew my plan at this time), but everybody else shut it down. Plans ruined. 'It doesn't look like this is going to happen tonight,' I thought.

The next day was New Year's Eve and I wanted to try it again. I dropped Kinsi off at a hair appointment and she asked me to wait there. I made up an excuse that it was going to take forever and that I was going to go back to her parent's house and wait for her to be done. She begrudgingly accepted and I went back to her parent's house. I showed them the ring for the first time and got their blessing. I told them it was happening today. I didn't know why, but I wasn't going to hang onto that ring any longer.

After picking her up from her hair appointment I suggested we take our dog for a drive/walk. Our dog loves snow and it was starting to snow the light fluffy snow that makes everything look pretty. She finally said yes to something.

We took a drive by WSC, Applebee's and other places where we had fond memories. I drove us to the park where we went for a walk. There was a light layer of snow on everything and it was empty and quiet. There was nobody else there. After walking for a while and trying to figure out how to ask, I suggested we take a photo on this small piece of land that stuck out into the pond there. I told her we should take a photo with our dog with the pond in the background. We crouched down for the photo, but I didn't get back up after. I stayed on my knee and proposed. After three or four "no you're nots," I finally got a yes.

Josiah & Anne

Our love story began on TikTok— Anne enjoyed posting videos playing ukulele and singing and I was looking for someone to sing on a track I was working on. Anne's voice (and beauty) immediately struck me, so I reached out to her and invited her to sing on the song I was working on, but I didn't really expect a reply. To my surprise—and delight—she responded and we quickly bonded over our mutual passion for music.

Two months later, Anne flew out to Fargo to record vocals and co-write what later became the first song we recorded together, "Lifetime."

Although we soon formed a friendship over things like photography, art and food, it was one thing that drew our connection deeper: our love for Christ.

Later in the fall of 2021, Anne's older sister Ruth was getting married and I was invited to Virginia, her home state, for the celebration. There was one small issue: I was terrified of flying. So at that moment, I had to make a decision: "Either I have to get over my fear of flying or this isn't going to work out."

SHOTWELL FLORAL & GREENHOUSE

Photos provided by Shotwell Floral & Greenhouse

Cascading bouquets that take on an updated, free-flowing, garden-inspired feel that incorporates flowing foliage and an array of blooms that may be all white, shades of color or a palette of multiple colors, flowers and berries. We also see a blend of dried pods and grasses that mix in beautifully to create an organic feel. Tablescapes, arches and backdrops including bridal bouquets are very lush and full with a larger-than-life presence and are very poplular. The English garden look with an easy breezy flair is continuing to be a favorite as well as well as all varieties of eucalyptus foliage.

What should someone look for in a florist?

A florist who is willing to sit and listen to the bride and groom’s thoughts, ideas and dreams and help make that a reality for their wedding day—one who will help create and assist in pulling together their ideas with the florist’s knowledge of flowers, colors, longevity and their availability.

What are some trends that you are noticing with floral?

It’s always good to initially find the ‘style and design’ that the Bride likes. Sometimes this is most easily discovered by a process of looking through websites or observing flowers at weddings. Many times it is a process of elimination of what you don’t like. The color of flowers or color of the bridal party’s attire is always a big component in the choices.

Also, a favorite flower(s) plays a huge role in creating the bouquets.

their wedding day—one who will help create and assist in pulling together their ideas with the florist’s knowledge of flowers, colors, longevity and their availability.

Do you have any other tips for wedding planning that you’d like to share?

Timeline is very important, as is the season in which you will be getting married because it plays a large part in flower availability.

A florist who is willing to sit and listen to the bride and groom’s thoughts, ideas and dreams and help make that a reality for

What’s the most important thing to know when picking out flowers for a wedding?

Can you give a little bit of advice when it comes to picking out the right floral arrangements?

Hairstylist | Extensionist | Makeup Artist | Bridal

HANRI HUMAN

Who are you?

Hi, I’m Sara J Lien. I graduated from the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis in 2008. Since then, I’ve gone on to become a Master Hairstylist and Makeup Artist. Multidimensional color, blondes and extensions (SJL) are my jam. Brides will always hold a special place in my heart. My bridal work has been featured in multiple magazines, including Vogue. I work with the most talented group of women at Adae Salon. I’m currently not accepting new clients, as my books are full of the most amazing clients a stylist could ask for. I'm a wife to Matthew and a Mom to two perfect boys—Gino (4) and Jack (3).

What is unique about what you offer?

When it comes to brides, I’m all in. From the pre-wedding prep of getting my clients their dream hair to the day of fullservice glam—I'm all in. I'm not just there to make them look flawless, I’m there to make sure their day is perfect. I buckle shoes. I apply body lotion. I spruce up the groom's hair. When you hire me, I don’t take it lightly. I am a part of one of their biggest days! I also bring years of experience which I think translates into a really good vibe. I’m never stressed. I don’t do trials. I like to show up and let the day happen organically. That’s when I do my best work!

What wedding services do you offer?

Hair and makeup.

I always tell my brides you need to look like YOU, but enhanced. When you feel your prettiest, what does that look like?

If you’re not pulling your hair up to feel your best, why would we do that on your wedding day?

Sara had a hand in Fargo's recent celebrity marriage between Audra Mari and Josh Duhamel as she was responsible for doing Audra's hair.

What are some things brides should consider when deciding on their wedding look?

HANRI HUMAN

What's the difference between "bridal makeup" and "everyday makeup"?

Honestly nothing. Bridal makeup can be everyday makeup and everyday makeup can be bridal makeup. It’s about what MY bride wants. I think there are no “rules” when it comes to bridal glam. Some of my brides want super natural makeup and some of my brides want full glam! The difference to me is maybe the prep and application. I take my time with prepping my bride's skin. I use eye masks, hydrating serums, etc. When applying, I usually layer cream products, then powder to make sure everything has staying power. I also have a secret body glow that I put on all of my brides.

Should clients bring inspirational photos? If so, how should they go about selecting those?

Inspo photos are always helpful! Instagram and Pinterest are always great options.

The bridal bun will never go out of style. She’s chic and here to stay forever. Lately, I've seen lots of party ponytails, loose waves and tucked behind the ears.

competition aspect is gone for the most part and the community vibes are strong. adaesalon.com/ 4955 17th Ave S, Fargo 701-356-5505 saralienadae saralienhair

If you already have a stylist that you’ve been seeing for a long time, start there. If not, start looking at Instagram. I think wedding photographers are the best place to start. Find brides on their pages with hair and makeup that you like. They always tag the glam squad so you’ll be able to find them and message them! If the stylist is booked, then ask them for recommendations. The beauty industry has really come a long way—the

What are some wedding hair trends you've been seeing lately?

How does a bride go about picking the right hair and makeup artist for the wedding? What should they ask and consider?

Pictured here are Paige and Dustin Holman, a recently married couple that Sara helped.

HILLARY EHLEN

LILY BRUNDIN PHOTOS

Photos provided by Lily Brundin

What is your story?

I’m Lily, and I’m a couples photographer here in North Dakota!

I started shooting during my junior year of college, taking Photoshop classes and I basically just wanted my own work to practice on. I borrowed my boyfriend, Shawn’s $300 DSLR and basically held it hostage. I was in love.

I started shooting a lot of portraits, and quite a bit of fashion… both are things I love shooting, but when I got a taste of shooting love—there was absolutely no turning back.

What should someone look for in a wedding photographer?

First, make sure you love their editing style and can picture yourself in their work. Also, definitely choose someone whose personality you vibe with! You spend a lot of time with this person, make sure you trust them fully and that they put you at ease!

Standard wedding photography safety measures:

BACKUPS. Backup cameras for the day of and backups of all of their files on multiple formats in multiple places.

Film! Whether it’s an editing style or actual film, I’m obsessed!

What are some trends that you are noticing in wedding photography lately?

What techniques or abilities set you apart from other photographers?

I’m a photoshop fiend. I’ve actually taught it at the university level!

I also love making GIFs at weddings.

I think I’m a weird mix of super techy as well as a hopeless romantic artist.

What should a bride and groom discuss with the photographer during the wedding planning process?

Make sure you understand their shooting style! If they’ll be posing all of your moments, or if they’re more “fly on the wall.” These styles require super different plans! For stuff like this, discuss your expectations.

What are some tips for couples to know in order to make photography a smooth process on the big day?

1. Make sure your getting-ready space is clean and has great natural light!

2. Prepare a bag of “details” (rings, jewelry, vow books, invitations, perfume, etc.) that your photographer can take the morning of!

3. Have a list of groupings prepared for family photos! Delegate it to a personal attendant or a family member who knows all of the names so that we can bang these out super quick!

mock timeline to my clients that lays out everything.

What matters most to you as a wedding photographer?

That my clients 100% trust me. The #1 most important thing to me is my client’s experience. lilybrundinphotos.com 4400 Calico Dr S #409, Fargo 701-741-8198

General

wedding timeline tips:

Leave an hour of wiggle room before your ceremony! I send out an entire

By Abby Anderson

After photographing weddings in Fargo-Moorhead for over a decade, I’ve noticed that a bride’s favorite images aren’t always the ones you would expect.

GENERATIONAL PHOTOS

Wedding days are about more than the bride and groom. Photos of parents, grandparents, nieces and nephews celebrate the legacy of your family.

Your Vow Exchange

This is what it’s all about. My brides tell me that the thing they are most excited about is becoming a wife! These moments at the altar are priceless.

Your Walk Down The Aisle

One of the most joy-filled moments of the day? Your first walk as husband and wife!

The Receiving Line

When Grandma wants to see your shiny new piece of jewelry up close.

Abby Anderson

Unscripted Reception Moments

Like your sisters having a giggle attack or your barefoot niece sneaking up during your first dance just to say hi.

Transitions

On your wedding day, it’s likely you’ll be moving in and out of cars, buildings and more. These “transition” moments make for unexpected favorite memories with your favorite people. Like the time your brother held the umbrella so you wouldn’t get your hair wet.

Post-Ceremony Fun

These photos capture the true personality of your closest friend group.

Night Portraits

Direct flash images taken after dark are sassy, unpredictable and my favorite photo trend for 2023!

abbyanderson.com

abbyandersonphotographer